I need help quick!
 

So I guess I will still admit that I am a newb at some things, and brakes and brake rotors are one of them. So anyways, I go outside today and there is some orange stuff on my brake rotors and calipers (on front and back both sides) right behind the rim. Its like orange rust almost, but it comes off with water or if i rub it. My question is, what is it? should i be worried? and what can I do to fix it? thanks in advance.

does this orange stuff appear only after the car has sat for a day or more? Or is it only there right after you drive it?

only when it has sat for a day or more, I went to Arizona for a week then got home and it was like that. Then drove it for 2 days, and let it sit for a day and it was like that again.

rust...I think. you should be able to tell if its rust. only other thing I can think of it mud/dirt...or maybe you have a brake fluid leak...but if its happeneing on all 4 rotors then I doubt its that.

yea but the thing is it gets on my rims like where the lugs are, so that makes me think it is not rust. It like leaks over on the rim and then dries to orange I guess. but when I clean the rims and spray everything with water it all goes away and is nice and clean.

can you scrape it off with your finger...with no water involved? What is the consistency of this orange stuff?

just checked it again, its on ALL 4 ROTORS. and its like dotted orange everywhere on each rotor if that makes sense. I can rub it off if I lick my finger and scrub good but it looks like some of it may even be permenant or really hard to get off.and the orange comes off and stays on my finger. but the orange dots are also inside the holes of my rims right under the rotors.

its rust.

so basically I have to get new rotors and brakes?

no, why would you think that? ALL rotors rust if the car isnt driven for a while....even if they are brand new.

oh alright, I just didn't know that. I appericate you helping me though, I got worried the rotors were damaged. hopefully it will go away soon

drive you car more...or at least everyday and it shouldnt happen at all.

bingo... this is totally not an issue. If you leave your sit car overnight and the dewpoint drops low enough, condensation will develop and your rotors will develop surface rust almost immediately. It'll be sometimes streaks, sometimes dots and sometimes a thorough coating. That it gets on everthing isn't terribly surprising... any water touches any iron dust (from your rotors, normal) it'll turn to rust color promptly with enough air around.

Don't trip. If you want to post a pic we can probably tell you for sure.

aight man, thanks for the help.

ill see if I can get some pics, but from the things you described it sounded like just everyday rust. Im just glad its nothing serious.

never take for granted that we can divine from a brief text blurb the exact nature of the issue. we do pretty well on average but a pic would make me feel better about that particular advice.

im getting the pics online now..how do you post them on here once there on my computer?

once you have the URL for the image....put the entire URL in between
[IMG] url goes here [/IMG]

how did i get a url? it just says IMG_1674.jpg its just saved on my desktop

Its rust, dont even worry about it.

Getting rotors that are zinc plated usually have minimal rust, and usually only the expensive upgraded rotors are zinc plated.

But yea, the rust is nothing to worry about. It comes off immediatley after hit the brakes anyway.

yea thats rust.

rust...100%. no need to worry.

alright thanks guys for all the help!!

your welcome!! gald we were able to ease your mind. :beerchug:

yep that's 100 percent normal. it's common rust, once you drive it, it's gone, let it sit and it's back. happens to pretty much all rotors. If you upgrade, i would get some that are zinc plated, that's helps alot to stop the rust from coming up, but don't buy cheap ones. i've seen cheap ones that are zinc coated and they still rust pretty bad.